Durability of efficacy of microbial bioprotectants against plant diseases

Abstract

Plant pathogens can develop resistance to conventional plant protection products but their ability to overcome the effect of microbial bioprotectants is still poorly known. However, various studies show that susceptibility of plant pathogens to microbial bioprotectants can be highly variable. This may contribute to the inconsistent efficacy of microbial bioprotectants sometimes observed in the field. An important question is whether the widespread use of microbial bioprotectants in the field could conduct to the selection of even more resistant phenotypes of plant pathogens. This chapter highlights current knowledge concerning erosion of microbial bioprotectants against plant pathogens and its possible consequences for field efficacy.